Shirinai: Behind the Winds and Rain

"I hate going back home." I told Destiny. Home meant being with my old tradition family, the reason I left. "I would say the say if I could." She replied. We were on a boat on the way to The Mist Village. Kyoma took over the mercenary business for a month so that Gary, Destiny, and I could take a break and I could attend to my own business. Never would I have thought to bring awkward company of Destiny but, I didn't see the harm. I could sense the awkward vibe we gave each other, the mist couldn't hide that. "Ms. Umi how is your ride?" asked the boat driver. "Don't call me that, call me Ren, and my last name is Jia now." I told him. He nodded, "No I didn't get married but yes the ride is okay, thank you." He nervously nodded and continued to paddle the boat. I stared out into the mist. "Why did you change your last name?" Destiny asked me. For a moment I didn't want to answer but it kinda made me feel good she asked. "My family is really, really traditional. When I left home, I shed the name to shed the expectations of those traditions." She smiled "Ahh." But now I was back to the village my parents, along with their old traditions. We hit the harbor, and departed the boat. With Destiny close behind we made our way through my old village and the staring eyes. "I hate this." I told Destiny "They know I'm an Umi." We began to walk faster, but the village didn't seem to end. Behind me, Destiny jumped onto a roof and jumped roof to roof. I seen her and followed. "It'll be faster and we can avoid the annoying people." Destiny said smiling. She was moving effortlessly over the roves, almost floating, not bothered by the snow. Destiny and I have never been on a mission together, so it was surprising to see her movements. For a moment it occurred to me I knew almost nothing about the girl I lead Gary to date. We continued over the roof tops eastward toward the woods. The village really had change since I had lived there. It became more modernized and they expanded the town's marketplace, but it didn't change the fact my family was one of the oldest and richest family's there. More importantly it didn't change that they knew my face. We reached the woods and we both jumped to the floor, "We can walk from here." Into the misty woods we walked. I had a strange feeling that woods were different, but that was just lingering feeling of change from the village. It was dusk and the sky was getting relatively dark. The bugs came of and were making loud noises. It brought back memories. "When I was in Black Ops, I used to search these woods for criminals." I looked up into the trees "I used to hate wearing the mask they gave us, but we had to do it." My mind went to the times of hopping through the trees, on missions too classified and dangerous for regular ninja. "They would send me alone, by myself. Cause I was the most skilled." Secretly I would watch my brother as he went to and from school, sometimes, to make sure he got there and back safely, he was a pain in the butt but I missed him. My train of thought was disrupted by Destiny appearing by my side. "Hey I have something for you." I was caught off guard; I didn't even hear her walk next to me. She dug in her pouch for a bit, and then pulled out a small blue necklace made of shells. "I found this while I was shopping one day and thought I get it because it reminds me of you." She had a calm smile on her face as she took my hand and laid it in my hand. "Thank you." I smiled. I started to put it on but then I realized something. "Destiny into the trees!" I whispered. We both jumped into the trees to the left of us. "What is it?" She asked me. "This mist is too dense. The mist isn't moving either, that means someone is using this mist as a cover." I explained. We surveyed our area for awhile, and then decided to move quickly through the trees to get to my house. We moved fast. After 5 minutes we were almost to my house when I seen someone.

He was waiting outside the wall that borders my home. We hid in the tree tops watching him for a moment. He was wearing glasses, a white shirt with brown pants. He looks like a scholar, tall and skinny, reading a book and swirling a kunai. "He doesn't look like he means any harm." Destiny whispered. I nodded in agreement. "Well, umm, this is my house so I guess I'll just see what he wants. Stay here." I smiled, then climbed a little further out on a branch and dropped from the tree. "Hey, do you need some help?" I asked politely. The stranger's eyes never left the book; instead a swift movement of his hand shot his kunai out at me. Effortlessly I blocked it with needles from my pouch. "What the hell?" I demanded. He closed his book and raised his eyes, "Finally." He glared through his glasses at me. Suddenly I was attacked by water clones. They were nothing, I absorbed them with ease. 'Okay, you want to play it this way huh?" I drew more needles. "Ice Style! Turtle Spikes!" I flung the frozen needles at him. He dodged them, and flicked his arm. Something hard hit my face. He smiled, "It's called a Wind Whip, invisible to though who don't have wind chakra." I turned my arms into Crystal Ice, ready to fight. Suddenly I was surrounded by a huge whirlwind. Before I could respond to it, it dispersed and Destiny was standing in front of me. Her hand was glowing white and was outstretched to the stranger who was on his knees. "Okay well you know what, I can see your Wind Whip just fine, and this is my High Gravity technique." Destiny's voice was so calm it was almost cold. I composed myself again and stood next to Destiny. "Sorry, that Wind Whip just really irritated me." Destiny explained to me with a smile. I smiled back, "I had it handled but thanks." Before I moved I sensed it. I started to turn around but my feet wouldn't move. "What the heck?" Destiny asked. I turned to see her feet were stuck in ice. There was a light hand on my shoulder "Calm down, Ren." I couldn't turn to see who it was; my feet were frozen in unbreakable ice. "Ren!" I heard my little brother's voice; I looked to see he was running front the house to me. "Hey let Ren go." He yelled. The restraint on my feet lifted, and I turned to see who was behind me. There stood a young woman, maybe 20. She had light brown curly hair, and light skin; her face was somewhat emotionless, she was very pretty. It took me a moment but I composed myself again. Destiny ran over to me, "That was a Genjutsu. You aren't trying to hurt us." she said. "How did you know that was a Genjutsu?" I asked. She smiled, "It was relatively weak, I could sense the chakra flow in the air." she shrugged then turned to the scholar ninja who looked dismayed. "I'm sorry, Sage Marina." he pleaded. I then realized who the female ninja standing behind me was. "You're the Water Sage." I said this while the scholar ninja continued to beg for pardon. "Yes, I am. Kanas can you please stop." Marina said. She was wearing a dark blue cloak with light blue waves. Kanas stood next to Marina and Destiny next to me. My little brother Erin came running into my arms. I missed him so much, I was really happy to him. "Ren, I missed you" he said. I nodded "I missed you too." I held the tears back, I was really happy to see him. I looked over at Destiny who was smiling then we turned back to Marina and Kanas. "Your parents are waiting for us inside." She said in a sweet voice.

"Hold on! An arranged marriage AND becoming a Ninja Sage?" I asked. We sat in my family home's living room. I sat between Erin and Destiny, who both remained quiet. Across from me were my parents, next to my father sat Marina and next to my mom sat a tall, dark haired ninja, with strange orange eyes. He was the ninja I was arranged to marry. My father spoke first "It's an honor Sage Marina, that you have chosen our youngest daughter to become an Elemental Ninja Sage. Ren, this is an offer you're going to take." The striking light blue color of Marina's eyes flashed. She spoke emotionless "The Ninja Tribunal has been following 10 Water Specialist Ninja, and they have chosen you. Even though you are also a Beast Avatar." My mom was anxious to throw in her input "Plus! Michael here will support you every step of the way as your husband!" Then Marina spoke again "We will teach you to master Water Chakra without any of the 3 tailed Beast's Water Chakra. You have more potential than you can imagine." I thought for a moment. I love the free life of being a Bounty Hunter, I love being with my friends, but becoming a Water Sage is a big deal. I glanced over at Destiny who gave a light smile. I looked at Michael Thomas, whose strange orange eyes never left me. "Mom, you can't be serious about me marrying him, you know I won't do it." She looked a little bit surprised. She started to say something but I cut her off "Mom, I love you, but I refuse to marry him. I don't know him and seriously, no one even arranges marriages nowadays." My dad squinted his eyes "I take it you will accept Marina's offer to become a Ninja Sage?" he stated coldly. I looked over at Erin. I leaned over and whispered into his ear, we began to discuss under our breaths. When I sat straight again, there was a huge smile on Destiny's face. "Ms. Keer, what is so funny?" my dad asked her. "Nothing, really its nothing." This irritated my dad. "Marina, your body guard, Kanas, I want to fight him. Don't get me wrong, I want to join the Sages, but I like my life as is as well. If he wins, I'll become a Sage" Kanas was standing at the door to the room, nodding his head "Mom, I want a man who can win a fight against me, so, Michael I will fight you as well." I was pretty happy with this plan, Erin helped fuel this idea. We both knew I never planned to get married. Marina remained emotionless, but still gorgeous. My dad was frustrated, my mom upset and Michael looked away. "I like this idea." Marina said. She leaned over and glared at my dad "It's her choice, allow her to make it herself, Mr. Umi, we cannot force her to become a Sage." My dad's face relaxed. "Ren must you insist on fighting both of them, you'll be to fight one then the other, its not good idea" My mom protested. "She's going to fight them both at once." Destiny answered back. Both my parents glared at each other. "Let her do it, Mom. Ren knows what she's doing" Erin added. It made me happy to hear my brother speak on my behalf. The room was quiet for a moment; everything seemed to revolve around Marina who sat in silence. "Do what you want, I won't watch though." My mom said sadly. The whole time Michael Thomas had not spoken; he leaned over and whispered something to my mom then straightened out again. "If you have something to say, Michael, you can say it so we can all hear." Erin said mad. "Don't use that disrespectful tone!" My father snapped. His mood was quickly washed away by another emotionless glance from Marina. It was strange Marina seemed to have so much power over my parents, her presence demanded so much honor and respect. Something I could have as a Sage. Then it hit me to ask, "What made you guys choose me to become a Sage even though I'm an Avatar?" Marina seemed to think for a moment but then she stood with a smile on her face "Aren't we suppose to be holding a battle right now?" Michael stood up, and Kanas ran to Marina's side. "Ren, I told you I refuse to watch this fight." my mom said sadly. Destiny, Erin, and I stood "Mom, you don't have to." I then turned to notice Destiny and Marina locked eyes, and stared at each other. "What?" Erin asked. No answer. "Is something wrong?" my dad asked. They continued to stare at each other for a moment, and then they both smiled lightly. "It's nothing." Destiny chuckled. She then walked passed Kanas and out the door. Kanas made a strange face, and then glanced at Michael, who raised his eyebrows. "Let's go and get this started." Marina said. We all followed her into my backyard.

The backyard to my family home was large, two or three acres. We hand four huge statues of my grandparents and a huge koi pond. The koi in the pond were taken to the pond inside our home to avoid them freezing with the pond. Now the dense mist had turned to light snow. The snow frosted over the tree and looked beautiful in the night sky. I stood out in the opening with Erin and Destiny by my side. Kanas stood discussing something with Marina and Michael stood next to my dad, silent. "Dad doesn't understand, I'm an adult now, I'm on my own and I make my own decisions." I said to Erin. Destiny seemed uneasy; she shifted a little bit then said "Why even come back if you know they are going to tell you to do something?" My dad was glaring at us but he couldn't hear what we were saying. I wondered what was on his mind. "It's just how we are; I can't deny I've made it to where I am now with their help. It's just...ugh... them and their old traditions. They try to force them on me." I explain. Erin added "I remember Lauren telling me mom told her that when she and dad were in school they forced boys and girls to share a table, but they had their own space so if a boy's elbow would cross the line the girl would hit him." "That must suck." Destiny said quietly. I looked over again and now Michael and Kanas were talking. The sky was dark and grey, I liked the snow falling, it was relaxing. Marina turned and waved us over. "Are you ready?" She asked me. I looked back at the battlefield then at Marina again, then Destiny stepped forward, "Let me talk with Ren alone for a second." This caught me off guard. "Um, are you sure you want to do this alone, I mean we are teammates." she told me. She was concerned, something that came kind of weird coming from her. "I have to do this alone, otherwise we Erin gets older they'll try to force all this old traditions on him. My dad needs to see that the old ways aren't the only way to make a strong, honorable ninja." this resolve has quickly switched from being about me to my brother. He had become the reason for all this. I had got away; my parents couldn't effect me now, even if they wanted to. But Erin was still lived with them, and may eventually fail to their old traditions. I didn't want that for him. We turned back. "I'm ready." I answered. I eyeballed Kanas who scrolls through his book and Michael who avoided my gaze. I walked out to the middle of the battle field and awaited the cue for the battle to begin. My father led Erin and Destiny to the enclosed porch for watching battles. "GO!" Marina demanded.

Michael burrowed under the snow into the ground; Kanas put his book into his pouch and pushed up his glasses. "Wind Style! Wind Blossoms!" The air around me began exploding. I jumped back to avoid them, then charged. Kanas started with his Wind Whip. "Ice Style! Breath of the Arctic Turtle!" I streamed the icy mist out of my mouth covering most of the area. I suddenly sensed the whip from behind me, I ducked the jumped to the side. I was surrounded by Water Clones; I had no clue where the real Kanas was. The whip came at me again, I managed to dodge it. The Water Clones were moving in every direction. "I don't like playing the Genjutsu games, I held my hand out, "Disperse!" the Ice Mist disappeared and revealed Ice Clones, and Kanas just out of reach of where the mist spread. I shook my head, and the clones charged me. I stood waiting their attack but they melted. "They must not have been able to hold their form without my mist." I thought. Kanas opened his palm to me "Wind Style! Sonic Boom!" huge waves of vibration blasted at me, too fast to dodge, I took the impact. It knocked me off my feet. Another one hit me. Kanas took the offense and was running toward me. He shot again but this hit gave me enough time to return to my feet. I readied myself for his next blast but he appeared behind me "Boom!" He blasted my Ice Clone, I appeared behind him. "You're not the only one with clones." I drew my Senbon needles to finish him but the air around him began exploding. He turned and hit me with another Sonic Boom. The impact knocked me through the mud into the pond. I thought of absorbing the water to use my 3 Tailed Turtles Crystal Ice form, but I wanted to beat him without it. I swam to the surface and climbed onto the top of the water. I sat on the surface with my legs crossed. Kanas was swinging around his Wind Whip, looking at me. "I'm not going anywhere near the pond, I'm aware you will use it to your advantage." I laughed at him. "Water Style! Water Shock Wave!" A shock wave of water shot out of the pond at Kanas. It hit him and he slid across the ground. I stepped out of the pond, and ran toward Kanas, "Earth Style! Earth Dome!" Suddenly a stone dome engulfed me. "Finally decided to come out of hiding Michael." I chuckled. The earth dome around me collapsed; there I was in the middle of a battlefield laced with rivers of lava. Michael stood next to Kanas. I glared at him. He flickered to me, I blocked his punch, and I grabbed his arm and tossed him. Instead of landing on the ground he disappeared beneath the lava. Kanas began shooting Sonic Booms at me; I hopped from stone to stone to avoid them. Michael erupted from the lava with a series of punches and kicks. Again more Sonic Booms were headed my way. I launched myself into the air, but Kanas appeared behind me and knocked me back down to the ground, I hit the ground and Kanas landed behind me. He bound me with his Wind Whip. Michael slowly emerged from the lava "Fire Style! Great Fire Ball!" fire formed in his mouth and exploded and hit me. I applauded them. "You guys managed to destroy my Crystal Ice Clone." They stared in amazement at me, "A clone?" Kanas asked in shock "How come I couldn't sense it?" I sat on the surface of the pond laughing, "My Crystal Ice Clones are made from the 3 Tailed Turtle's chakra, they are no different than me, other than the fact that they are clones." Michael looked angered. "What's wrong Michael? I remembered you. You gave away your chakra when we were in the house. Fire and Earth style, it was easily detectable. When you burrowed under ground creating the lava field you left your chakra everywhere, melting the snow." I smiled. Kanas composed himself "And the clone how did you know when to create a clone?" He asked. "You're Wind Blossoms were wild and unpredictable, you used them to keep me from getting close, then attack from afar with your Sonic Boom. You knocked me into the pond. It wasn't frozen over anymore; this is how I confirmed the lava field. With that, while I was under water, I swapped out for a Crystal Ice Clone." I explained "Michael you're technique is basic, like an Earth Style user, you change the battlefield to your advantage, use your skilled Taijutsu to wear your enemy out then finish them with your Fire Style." This is when Kanas pulled out his book and began reading again, as Michael sank half way into the lava. "Kanas, your affinity is Wind Style. Your Cherry Blossoms, Sonic Boom, and Wind Whip work best for you. Marina must be teaching you to utilize your Water Style." Kanas looked up at me. Out of his book he pulled two tags with writing I couldn't read, and wrapped them around his hands. He preformed a hand sign then yelled "Water Style! Tailed Beast Water Prison!" The pond under me began to glow then engulfed me in a watery sphere "I've been wary of that pond since the battle started, when I knocked you in, I also launched a Seal Tag in as well, Michael your turn." Michael opened his mouth and sucked up all the lava "Lava Style! Hell Salamander's Roar!" He began charging his attack. I rolled my eyes "Really? You think this Water Prison is going to hold me? Dolphin's Cry Jutsu!" I released sonic waves of my Water Chakra and destroyed the tag. The sealing tags on Kanas' hands exploded, knocking out Michael. I flickered behind Kanas, but was hit with the air exploding around him, and slid a few feet back. "Dammit, I forgot about that." I thought. Michael struggled to stand up but he got up slowly, I watched in amazement. Both of his hands and feet were glowing red and brown, the Lava Chakra had fused with his body. I smiled "This'll get interesting." Michael turned and faced me, Kanas summoned 8 Water Clones. Kanas sat on the floor and began readying though his book, the 8 clones stood guard. I rushed in, Michael met me half way, I grabbed one punch and was burned by the chakra. Instantly I turned my arms and hands into Crystal Ice. I began my counter attack. I was faster but he was stronger, each blow was counter with a swift attack. Kicks and punches were exchanged rapidly. I leaped back. "Well Michael, seems your Taijutsu have upgraded," my head turned to the room where my dad was observing then back to Michael "but, there's more to fighting me than a simple upgrade." Behind Michael, Kanas stood up. His eyes glowed brown, "Earth Style! Earth Bullets!" He spat out Earth Bullets at me. I blocked them easily, "You used that time to ritually change your affinity huh?" I asked, "Oy, this is all getting old." I noticed Michael's arms and legs were now infused with the Lava Chakra. Kanas was using Earth Style to counter my Water Style but it was weak. "Ice Style! Arctic Blizzard!" I inhaled all the air I then exhaled a blast of frost and ice. Kanas jumped back to dodge the attack but Michael stood and took it. The area was now covered in snow again. "Fire Style! Great Fire Ball" Michael a fire ball at me, the speed was too fast to dodge so I blocked it. After it dispersed I charged in "It takes more than that to melt Crystal Ice! Water Style! Water Shock Wave!" Michael jumped over my attack charged at me. We began exchanging Taijutsu again, occasionally backing up to start again. As we clashed I noticed Michael's Taijutsu was getting stronger. Kanas now decided to join the fray, spitting Earth Bullets here and there along with a mix of the explosions from his Cherry Blossom Jutsu. This was all getting too much to handle, I jumped away from them as fast as I could but they met me every step of the way, I had to counter "Arctic Blizzard Jutsu!" I managed to knock them both away from me. "You guys are becoming a handful, and we've been battling too long. Time to end it. Turtle's Crystal Ice!" My whole body was turned to Crystal Ice. Kanas began shooting Earth Bullets super charged with a mix of Sonic Booms. They hit me but had no effect. He was quick to react by lashing out with his Wind Whip, which I froze over. Michael shot a fire ball at me, which I jumped over. I flickered and landed behind Kanas. His Cherry Blossoms began exploding; I grabbed the back of his collar, kicked the back of his legs, and slammed him on his back. Faster than he blinked, I dropped a knee into his chest and knocked him out cold. "I told you guys, I'm ending this battle now." I said. There was a sudden rise of Heat from Michael. "Well, you're not done fighting me."His whole lower body was now infused with Lava Chakra. "With this new power of my Lava Chakra infusing with my body, I'll melt your Crystal Ice!" I was stunned "Wait you can't normally-" Before I could finish, he was in my face with flurry of kicks. His speed had increased amazingly. He jumped back and spat a huge Lava Ball at me in midair. "Not even Lava can melt my Crystal Ice! Arctic Dolphin's Cry" I began throwing Crystal Ice's at Michael. Too fast to dodge they knocked him to the ground, and he burrowed underground. "This again? It won't work, Water Style, Fresh Water Lake!" I regurgitated a huge amount of Water Chakra over the battle field turning it into a lake. Sudden I was engulfed by an Earth Dome, a hole appeared in the ground under me. "Lava Style, Hell Salamander's Roar!" I was hit with a barrage of molten Lava. This angered me. "What did I tell you? YOU CANT MELT CRYSTAL ICE!" I broke through the dome. I stood on the lake, and melted into the lake. I dove into the hole Michael burrowed himself into, then pulled him out and flung him in to the air. "You can turn yourself into water!" Michael yelled in shocked. I reform on the surface of the lake, put my hand in the water and turned it into water, huge Crystal Ice hand reached out and grabbed Michael and threw him down toward me, half way down I jumped up and kicked him in the stomach and threw him into the lake. I dispersed the lake. Michael laid on his back in the mud bound down by Crystal Ice. Like I did with Kanas, I dropped my knee into his chest, knocking him out. As fast as I could, I ripped open his shirt. The Lava Chakra had not reached his chest yet. "Marina, Dad come quick!" I yelled. I poked all of my fingers with Senbon until they bled then laid my hands on his chest and melted both of them into his chest; I closed my eyes and began to focus.

"Hey Destiny can I ask you something?" Marina asked me. I was watching Ren fight Michael and Kanas when Marina called me over. "Yeah, what is it?" Marina's eyes were light and kind, and her voice was low. "Tell me about Ren saving your friend Gary's life." she asked. This question made me nervous; it was my mom that had almost killed Gary." Um, what do you mean?" I replied, we were still facing the fight but we had separated ourselves from Mr. Umi. "The Method she used. I'm aware the Jutsu she used is a mix of the 3 Tailed Turtle's Chakra and her Bloodline's ability to use their blood as water. But from one of her teammates, what did she do?" Marina asked. I didn't know whether I should've answered the question or not, but Marina's higher authority demanded that I answer. "Sorie stabbed Gary straight through his stomach with a sand spear, luckily, it missed his spine and important internal organs, but it was still a nearly fatal wound." I stuttered a little, feeling like the fact that my mom had done it as going to get me in trouble somehow. "If you don't know, the Crystal Ice Ren uses are her advance control over using the 3 Tailed Beast's chakra. She mixes her Crystal Ice with her ability to used blood as water to turn her whole body to Crystal Ice, and when water is around she can melt and turn into water and change her size and shape willingly depending on the amount of water. Since she was the Black Ops medical ninja, she knows how to heal the human body. When Gary was stabbed through the stomach, Ren melted into his body feeling his would and taking out the sand bit by with chakra waves and healing chakra at a microscopic level." Marina seems to think everything thoroughly, "How long did it take?" "Two and a half weeks." "Why did it take so long?" I became nervous at the question again, I felt as if though I would get Ren in trouble now, but the question was unavoidable. "That was her first time doing that. She said she knew how but hadn't done it. She said she'd risk her life to save Gary's." Marina seemed deep in thought; her brown eyes were slightly shifting side to side. "She never used it because it's against her family's tradition." Marina said. She shifted a little then I asked "Why?" Marina's eyes closed and she sighed. I looked out to the battle field to see Ren sitting on the pond, then back at Marina. "Ren was born sickly and anemic. During the Great Beast Extraction, her parents chose her become a Beast Avatar hoping it would make her stronger. The person to extract the 3 Tailed Turtle's Chakra, was her Grandfather. When he infused her with it, her body couldn't take the massive amount of chakra. In order to save her life, he gave his. He turned his body to Life Chakra, ability rare among Ninja, and fused with her body, saving her life." I stared in amazement. There was so much more to Ren and her life than I knew. "From that point on, her parents put a ban on using their kekegenkai to save lives. But I believe her Grandfather's life force made her even more powerful than anyone expected or intended. Her mastery over the Beast's chakra and her kekegenkai is beyond amazing." Marina explained. She had become emotionless again. My mind race with a million thoughts but only question popped out at me "Does Ren knows about this?" I asked. Marina sighed and shook her head "No Avatar knows how their chakra was extracted and the event of it being infused with their body. With the exception of your mother and now you." The million things that went through my head froze, and restarted with this new topic. "Tell me." Marina took another deep breath "Well, you weren't meant to be an Avatar. Nor was your mom. Your mom was supposed to extract the chakra and infuse it with one of your cousins. No one knew she was pregnant with you. The other ninja sent with her to help extract didn't survive Shukaku's wrath. It is only known that your mom came back and the chakra was infused with herself. The problem with that is Shukaku's Sand Chakra was the hardest to extract because of the fact he is malevolent beast with only 1 tail. That would pull some of his Will out along with the chakra, cause the person to become more malevolent than they already were. You got lucky, through your moms body, the chakra was purified and turned from Sand Chakra to Wind Chakra. And skipped the personality change." This answered everything, my problems with my mom, how we were both considered Avatars, and how she knew I'm an Avatar. I didn't want to over think it "Thank you for telling, and I won't tell Ren about her grandfather. But I have to ask, why did you guys choose her to be a Sage even though she's an Avatar?" Marina stared out to the battlefield. "She's surpassed everyone's expectations. But not only that, she's a good person. She's shown she's willing to give her own life to save another...But I've come to realize something. It's her life, something her grandfather gave his own life for. She's meant to live her own live, not force to be married, or to be a Sage." Marina paused a moment to turn at look at Mr. Umi who had been listening but didn't take his eyes off the battle. "It's her grandfather will for her to heal with her power, to save lives as he saved her. But for her to live the life he saved. Her life." I thought for a moment. "We were all given something we didn't ask for, but it was our choice what to with it." I whispered. Mr. Umi put his head down; I guess he came to realize that to.